Piano insulator



May 22, 1928. 1,670,853

0. GEBHARD PIANO INSULATOR Filed June 29, 1927 I N VEN TOR.

Carl q'ebhard,

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Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES CARL GEBHABD, 013 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

PIANO INSULATOB.

Application filed June 29, 1927. Serial No. 202,318.

In this specification, and the accompanying drawing, I shall describe and show a preferred form ofmy invention, and specifically mention certain of its more important objects. 7 I do not limit myself to the forms disclosed, since various changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from the essence of my invention as hereinafter claimed; and objects and advantages, other than those specifically mentioned, are included within its scope,

My invention relates to piano insulators for supporting pianos and other heavy furniture. Among its principal ob ects are;

first, to provide a resilient and slightly yieldable device of this nature; second, to supply a piano insulator having a metall c wearing surface that cannot respond to vibrations so as to sing; third, to furnish an article of this kind that will slide easily over bare floors without marrmg or sta ning them, and that will also readily slide over carpets and rugs; and, fourth, to accomplish the above objects by means of a simple construction of unusually pleasing appearance. 1

My objects are attained in the manner llustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention in cooperative relation to the leg of a piano that is supported thereby;

Figure 2 is an elevation of this device itself, in central vertical section; v

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the insulating or deadening member of the device; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the metallic wear-resisting member.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

It is well known as a matter of experience, that piano .insulators having metal bases rapidly become oxidized. Even if they are 45 plated, the thin plating soon becomes worn through. The oxidation leaves the surfaces roughin the case of ferrous bases, and most of the metals that are suitable for the pur pose become discolored. The result is that 60 such devices either scratch or discolor a bare floor, when they are slid over the same While supporting a heavy weight. Wooden bases gradually get foreign substances embedded in them, and also scratch a floor when they are slid upon it. If the Wooden bases are supplied with felt pads, it is next to impossible to slide them under weight upon carpets or rugs. My improved construction does not have any of these objectionable features and, on the other hand, it possesses certain advantages over prior constructions that will be disclosed.

This invention comprises a base 5 of glass, or other suitable non-porous and non-metallic material. This is roughly cylindrical in shape, with a circular flange 6 at the top; and an approximately hemispherical coaxial cavity 7, below the flange, and formed to leave a shoulder '8 between it and the flange.

A hemispherical flanged cup 9, of resilient soft rubber, is fitted within cavity 7, with its flange 10 resting upon shoulder 8; and a hemispherical flanged cup 11, of metal or other suitable wear-resisting material, is fitted within rubber cup 9, with its flange 12 resting upon the flange of the rubber cup below it. The diameter of flange 12 is slightly less than that of flange 10, or that of the base flange 6.

In use, the leg 13 of a piano or other heavy article of furniture is set with its castor within the metal cup 11 of my device. The wheel 14 of the castor ordinarily is rounded as shown, and the configuration of the wheel closely corresponds to the curved interior surface of cup 11. The cup is made so deep that there is no danger of the castor rolling out of it when its piano is pushed sidewise. The base, being of glass or similar suitable material, is hard, and its bottom surface is made smooth, so as to reduce the sliding friction to a minimum. It therefore can he slid over bare or carpeted floors without difficulty, and will not scratch or leave any marks thereon. I

I desire to call particular attention to the fact that the interposition of the rubber element 9 makes it impossible for the metallic cup 11 to vibrate or sing; and greatly adds to the ease with which heavy weights supported by the device may be slid'over a floor, by reason of its yieldingly nature. Attention is also directed to the fact that metallic cap 11 serves most effectively to distribute the pressure upon the rubber ele- I of resilient material fitted within said recess;

and a hemispherically cupped receptacle of wear-resisting material fitted within the cup of the lining.

2. A piano insulator comprising; a base having a hemis herical recess in its upper surface; a hemispherically cupped flanged lining of resilient material, fitted within said recess with said flange resting upon said surface; and a hemispherically cupped flanged receptacle of wear-resisting material fitted within the cup of the lining with its flange resting upon the lining flange.

3. A piano insulator'comprising; a glass base having a hemispherical recess in its upper surface, an upstanding circular flange concentric with the recess, and a shoulder intermediate the recess and flange; a hemispherically cupped flanged lining of rubber, fitted within said recess with its flange engaging said shoulder; and a hemispherically cupped flanged receptacle of metal, fitted within the cup of the lining with its flange engaging the lining flange.

I 4. A construction as set forth in claim 3 wherein the base flange extends above the other members to conceal them; and wherein the flange of the receptacle is of less diameter than the inner diameter of said base flange.

CARL GEBHARD. 

